confirm

[kuhn-furm]

verb (used with object)

1. to establish the truth, accuracy, validity, or genuineness of; corroborate; verify.

   This report confirms my suspicions.

   Synonyms: validate, authenticate, substantiate, prove
   Antonyms: disprove

2. to acknowledge with definite assurance.

   Did the hotel confirm our room reservation?

3. to make valid or binding by some formal or legal act; sanction; ratify.

   to confirm a treaty;

   to confirm her appointment to the Supreme Court.

   Antonyms: invalidate

4. to make firm or more firm; add strength to; settle or establish firmly.

   Their support confirmed my determination to run for mayor.

   Synonyms: fix
   Antonyms: shake

5. to strengthen (a person) in habit, resolution, opinion, etc..

   The accident confirmed him in his fear of driving.

6. to administer the religious rite of confirmation to.

confirm

/ kənˈfɜːm /

verb

1. (may take a clause as object) to prove to be true or valid; corroborate; verify

2. (may take a clause as object) to assert for a second or further time, so as to make more definite

   he confirmed that he would appear in court

3. to strengthen or make more firm

   his story confirmed my doubts

4. to make valid by a formal act or agreement; ratify

5. to administer the rite of confirmation to

Other Word Forms

• confirmable adjective
• confirmability noun
• confirmer noun
• confirmingly adverb
• nonconfirming adjective
• preconfirm verb (used with object)
• reconfirm verb (used with object)
• unconfirm verb (used with object)
• unconfirmability noun
• confirmatory adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of confirm¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; from Latin confirmāre “to strengthen, confirm” ( con-, firm ¹ ); replacing Middle English confermen, from Old French, from Latin, as above

Word History and Origins

Origin of confirm¹

C13: from Old French confermer, from Latin confirmāre, from firmus _firm ¹

Example Sentences

An analysis of DOT data confirms the rise in incidents since the COVID-19 pandemic, when conflicts over wearing masks boosted the number of reports of unruly passengers.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

And White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson seemed to confirm it: "This will not be the final word on this matter."

Read more on BBC

The Miami Dade Medical Examiners office did not confirm ABC's reporting and declined to provide any more information to the BBC, citing an "active and ongoing investigation".

Read more on BBC

National Park visitors will confirm their residency by providing a ZIP code when purchasing a pass online and then must show a U.S. government-issued photo ID that matches when using it, she said.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

A representative for the actor confirmed to E! that she has filed a police report about the incident and is cooperating with authorities.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• affirm 
• approve 
• back 
• certify 
• corroborate 
• endorse 
• establish 
• explain 
• sign 
• substantiate 
• support 
• uphold 
• verify